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posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:49 am
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It a choice… It’s a Governor choosing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:54 am
Tim, is the governor finally proposing a balanced budget? As I’m sure you recall, you submitted a budget at least $3 billion in deficit.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:54 am
Good News indeed. now to get the knuckleheads to start yes to each other.
Comment by Ben Franklin Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:57 am
This is the Governor’s office sending a letter to themselves.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 8:59 am
Also interesting to see the Gov double down on what general categories of services he wants to see major cuts in. Doesn’t bode well for a swift end to this mess.
Comment by Ferris Wheel Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:00 am
Tim, that is a bit of creative accounting you are doing. Still please note that the Governor has line item veto authority.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:00 am
“Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, Springfield 62706″
If you’re still not sure whom the cuts belong to, just look at their return address.
– MrJM
Comment by Mister Jay Em Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:01 am
The problem seems to be that if Rauner agrees to an unbalanced 1 month budget, he essentially is agreeing to a tax hike.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:01 am
This roll call like a few others this Spring will help MJM add to his 71 in next year’s elections (in a presidential election year when this state is more blue and will have a popular Illinoisan leading the ticket). The mail writes itself. I know there are inside baseball arguments for voting no but the mail program will be ugly for GOPers.
Comment by Fan Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:04 am
=Tim, is the governor finally proposing a balanced budget? As I’m sure you recall, you submitted a budget at least $3 billion in deficit. =
Nuding actually stated during yesterday’s committee of the whole that he didn’t believe the Governor’s budget to be out of balance.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:04 am
After months of political posturing, the best Madigan and Cullerton could do is to present a one month sham budget. Please!!! Rauner has no choice, but to ignore this.
Comment by a Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:06 am
By that logic, the governor should have vetoed the education approp, which increased spending by $244 million.
As OW says, it is a choice, and everything else is excuses.
Will be interesting to see whether Schrimpf gives GOP targets permission to vote for the one-month budget, which would mean that Durkin actually had the spine to demand it.
Also, keep an eye on Poe and McCann.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:06 am
Is this the future of budget negotiations?
Everybody involved send letters to each other?
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:08 am
Noticed that during the hearings yesterday, Tim always blamed the GA’s unconstitutional budget but never mentioned the Gov’s budget proposal which was also a tad short of balancing which must be equally unconstitutional. At least he is staying consistent in this letter.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:08 am
===Nuding actually stated during yesterday’s committee of the whole that he didn’t believe the Governor’s budget to be out of balance.===
While I wasn’t there, I can’t believe there wasn’t a followup for Mr. Nuding, asking him to elaborate his reasoning behind that claim that you’re making Anonymous.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:09 am
If only the governor had the power and Constitutional responsibility to propose a balanced budget…
But, no, he’s helpless in this situation. He can only sit and watch. Which he’s been doing very well.
Since the state has no spending authority, can some “conservative” Republicans please file a bill to remove the state’s taxing authority for the duration?
It can’t possibly be kosher to be banking our hard-earned money for no purpose.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:11 am
Robert the Bruce:
The governor agreed to a tax hike when he signed the education bill, and before that when he proposed a tax hike in the double secret meetings, and before that when he proposed a budget with a $3 billion hole in it, and before that when he proposed increasing taxes on the campaign trail.
This is not about avoiding a tax hike. There will be a tax hike. This is about the governor choosing to inflict harm on Illinois families in hopes of advancing his extreme Partisan agenda. For a guy who claimed he wasn’t interested in social issues, he sure is busy.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:11 am
=== Nuding actually stated during yesterday’s committee of the whole that he didn’t believe the Governor’s budget to be out of balance. ===
Oh, please. Try to use the critical thinking skills that you were supposed to learn in school. Notwithstanding other items that Rich pointed out earlier, the Rauner budget depended upon $2.2 billion in savings from a pension proposal that couldn’t possibly have gone into effect during FY 16.
If you payed close attention to Nuding’s testimony he quickly two-stepped his way to say that they could have worked out a balanced budget.
Using today’s current emphasis on the constitution and the GOP new mantra, Rauner’s budget proposal was unconstitutional.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:16 am
===Also, keep an eye on Poe and McCann.===
Maybe watch Poe. Doubtful this will get to McCann or the Governor.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:20 am
Juvenal, not only did he sign the education approp that increased spending, he then also promised Rahm $200 million on top of that. Where on earth was that money coming from?
Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:21 am
Juvenal, I also wondered about Poe and McCann. Have they spoken up about this whole cluster? I would imagine their phones have been blowing up with calls from anxious and angry state employees.
Comment by Defeated Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:21 am
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:21 am
Yes Anonymous at 9:04 am, I was there yesterday and heard the same thing from Tim Nuding that the Governor’s proposed budget was in fact balanced. He in fact took Rep Lang’s bait and explained why he believed the failed pension reform that was part of the proposed cost savers really did not create a $2 billion deficit. He said the failed proposal could be replaced with a constitutional one to easily save $2 billion. But neither he, nor the Governor has presented such a proposal.
Mr. Nuding also yesterday tried to make it sound like contractual not for profit service providers would be paid retroactively for services provided in FY 2016 once there was a balanced budget in place. Not for profit providers in the gallery had to,show extreme restraint in not yelling at that one. Because no Agency head has provided in writing such a guarantee unless it involved a consent decree and even then the ACLU in at least one case had to threaten litigation.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:22 am
Rod, I believe those letters from agency heads are coming soon.
Comment by Defeated Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:25 am
Wow, Tim’s letter seems to be glancing over the biggest argument against the bill. “This bill only impacts thirteen state agencies.” So the point is to keep state government going for a month and they don’t deal with all of state government. That would be my argument against this bill.
Of course, the reason their focus on the bogus unbalanced budget argument is that Rauner wants to continue a crisis in a manner that puts him in the best light.
Why do I say the unbalanced argument is bogus is that again the Gov can adjust it through item/reduction vetoes. He can also control how much the agencies spend.
Of course, if they were serious about preventing problems they would propose their own version of a month extension.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:28 am
@ PS & Norse
I’m not saying I agree with him, I’m just saying he said it (and I was surprised he did). He did get some follow-up questions, specifically on the $2.2M in “pension savings”. He indeed side-step the question rambling about about it was a different universe because the SC hadn’t decided on the issue. He also implied that some of the Governor’s “pension savings” were still achievable, regardless of the SC decision.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:29 am
This is all showmanship on both sides. No new substance. We will see if the bill passes with 71 votes. It will be a shame if it fails.
But it is meaningless if it does. Gov. Rauner would be well-advised to sit on it for most of the next 60 days saying that he is open to signing it if there are serious discussions on his economic reforms. That may look like he is trying to be reasonable.
Since this is all just a PR game anyway, it is hardly news until there are face-to-face meetings of the Gov and 4 legislative leaders. That is unlikely to start soon.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:31 am
So a one month budget that does not spend more money than is technically available is “unbalanced” and unconstitutional, but paying employees without any appropriation and which would not take into account cuts to other budget areas is constitutional. Their logic makes my head spin.
Comment by Demise Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:33 am
The Governor’s call for state employees to continue being paid, could also be construed as the Governor supporting an unbalanced budget?
When the Governor’s turnaround agenda items have come up for a vote in the House, not even his GOP members would support them. He needs to drop his turnaround agenda items and start working with the GA on a budget.
Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:34 am
It isn’t the job of the Executive or Legislative branch to decide what is and isn’t Constitutional. That would be the Judicial branch. Civics 101.
Comment by Mittuns Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:34 am
The governor’s position doesn’t exist. He’s standing outside of the responsibility of governing and throwing stones at the process.
I find it difficult to choose a side when the governor has failed to introduce his own balanced budget for consideration. If there’s an alternative that does not involve raising revenue to resolve the budget, lets see it.
If there’s some kid with fuzzy math skills that can show us that right to work zones will close a $3 or $4 billion dollar budget gap, lets see it.
Until then, the Administration is presenting a false choice and failing to lead. Perhaps it’s the attitude of a CEO - “Do the work for me and I will take the credit. These are the things I want — Go and do them. I don’t care how.”
Perhaps the greatest legacy of this administration will be proof positive that business experience does not prepare an individual for a career in public service.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:38 am
Demise, it’s really pretty simple. Everything the administration does is right, just, and an act of the angels. They can really never be wrong, nor can they ever to wrong. Everything that everyone else does is a corrupt phony sham that is part of the political class’ status quo. Once we all have that embedded into our brains, their reasoning really makes a lot of sense.
Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:39 am
===Joe M - Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:34 am:
The Governor’s call for state employees to continue being paid, could also be construed as the Governor supporting an unbalanced budget?===
Danger Will! Are you suggesting any attempt to keep paying state workers be scrapped? That ain’t going to get you the sash or the tiara around here. Nor should it.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:41 am
Governing is apparently like a Chinese restaurant menu with this administration.
“I’ll just have the K-12, and employee salaries with no Constitutional authority on the side, please. I’m watching my public image.”
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:48 am
No A guy, I definitely want the state workers to be paid. I was just pointing out some of the inconsistencies of the Governor’s thinking. I also want a budget passed that is at least very similar to the one the GA already passed and sent to the Governor, even if it does require more revenue.
Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:48 am
To the letter: Translation: “I don’t care what happens to the poor, old, or handicapped or anyone else with state funded needs”-Tim Nuding, sock puppet for Bruce Rauner
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:48 am
Arguing whether a one-month budget is balanced, whether all agencies can spend from 13 agencies or extrapolating a one month budget is all garbage-and both sides know it. Until they get serious about some common grounds, just get out of Springfield.
Comment by Soccertease Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:48 am
==The governor agreed to a tax hike when he signed the education bill, and before that when he proposed a tax hike in the double secret meetings, and before that when he proposed a budget with a $3 billion hole in it, and before that when he proposed increasing taxes on the campaign trail.==
Excellent points. The education bill wasn’t funded either, so it is odd that he’s ok w that but not w this. I simply think that Rauner needs some compromise on passing some parts of his “turnaround agenda” in order to sign off on a month-long budget or a tax hike.
I am foolishly optimistic that there will be some compromise later this month.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:50 am
This administration’s budget policy is neglect and they don’t care who suffers for it.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:51 am
I have seen nothing new from either side in days. Yawn.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:57 am
I have seen nothing new from either side in days. Yawn.
Comment by illinoised Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 9:57 am
== It isn’t the job of the Executive or Legislative branch to decide what is and isn’t Constitutional. That would be the Judicial branch. Civics 101. ==
But the legislative is expected to have some basic level of understanding of the constitution and somewhat follow it unless they are specifically amending it.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:00 am
Goldberg might have some time on his hands maybe he can help nuding cypher..
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:01 am
=It isn’t the job of the Executive or Legislative branch to decide what is and isn’t Constitutional=
They are constitutional officers and charged with upholding said constitution. Also civics 101.
On the bright side, if he only funds K-12 we will have a tremendous surplus budget this year. /snark
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:09 am
Rauner: Shutdown worth the pain it brings (to the poorest among us), in order for me to get my way on destroying both public and private unions. Got it.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:13 am
Heaven help any legislator who votes against funding IEMA, National Guard, and State Police if a godless, killer tornado blows through Illinois.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:14 am
Image and perceptions, real economics, revenue, gamesmanship
Rauner is working the good guy boss image not because he appreciates his employees and their morale (duh), but because he is worried about the headline that tags him with a dip in economic numbers in the third quarter caused by his insistence on non-economic issues.
Revenue. Three ways to bring in more. Tax a little more, improve the economy and receive a little more, or produce something. Option 3 isn’t too likely without some serious governmental creativity (HA!). Improve the economy? That truck is headed in the ditch fast. Tax a little more? hmmmm. (Cut your way to prosperity? Ask Kansas about that.)
Does anybody know if 2nd quarter receipts at IDOR are higher than projections? (3rd quarter is going to get a rough start and anybody not focused on ECONOMIC ISSUES is going to take some blame)
Pass the Governors proposed budget VERBATIM. Make sure everybody knows it was his.
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:19 am
Wonder why Rauner had Nuding write this letter for public consumption right now. Will he then have to hang Tim out to dry to make a temporary deal?
Straightforward principled play by Nuding. Don’t piecemeal an unbalanced budget. Hold fast for the larger deal that includes Turnaround Agenda items in exchange for tax increases. Nothing new there.
The problem is it’s opposite to the move that Governor Rauner just made with the education bill. Oh well.
Rauner cannot hold fast against even a threat of school closedowns, but he can face shutdowns in other state service areas.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:22 am
[Rauner awkwardly puts his arm around Tim Nuding, his Budget Director]
Bruce Rauner: Tim, I want you to get away from this madhouse, these reporters, and go up to 2nd Floor, after work. And I want you to write up a letter. I want you to put everything you know about why I shouldn’t favor helping the needy in there.
Tim Nuding: You want me to put it all in writing. Over my signature.
Rauner: Well, nobody knows more about this thing than you do, Tim. The details, that stuff, I don’t know about.
[a pause]
Nuding: Sir, I’m not going to be the scapegoat for this. Schrimpf and Goldberg are in just as deep as me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:40 am
Nice WKRP reference SAP!
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
Sure Willy. Happened just like that. /s
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
= Heaven help any legislator who votes against funding IEMA, National Guard, and State Police if a godless, killer tornado blows through Illinois. =
Les Nessman, is that you?
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:50 am
Willie, have you been reading the last Dean book?
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:00 am
How can it be so hard to mutually negotiate a one month budget extension that keeps basic services running and pays employees?
I took Madigan opening the door to a one month extension yesterday as a positive development, not an ultimatum. An extension should not be used as a vehicle to advance 1/12 of the Rauner budget, 1/12 of the Madigan budget, or anything similar.
Please do better, y’all. Get your heads out of the sand and get a one month, partisan-neutral extension done.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:01 am
- Wordslinger -, No, but I should, I’m sure I’d like it.
Maybe some summer reading.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:13 am
Why doesn’t the GOV lead, come out with a 5 year plan, take the heat and show all of us what IL should look like in 5 years. Having to create an aimless budget every year is just plain silly. TX budgets every 2 years
Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:23 am
Tim Nuding, after the charade, will be known as a stand-up guy.
Comment by Politics as Usual Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:48 am
Nuding: “They’re pounding my ribs in there. My legs are a little weak.”
Schrimp: “Stand in there or they’ll think your a weakling, and you’ll take the rest of us down with you.”
Goldberg: “What a sham. Just get in there and do your job.”
Rauner: “Orange whip, anyone? “
Comment by Snopes Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 11:55 am
FKA: You are right; this shouldn’t be this hard.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 2:54 pm
cdog - Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 10:19 am:
==Does anybody know if 2nd quarter receipts at IDOR are higher than projections?==
Through the end of May (11 of 12 months) receipts are about $700 million more then the adopted fiscal 2015 budget assumes.
http://www.revenue.state.il.us/AboutIdor/TaxResearch/2015-May-MonthlyRevenueReport.pdf
Comment by Cha ching Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Thanks Cha Ching. Interesting.
I suspect the Rauner Shutdown will negatively impact the next quarter (calendar or fiscal).
I am impressed by the +700m in excess of projections! Seems that something is going right.
Comment by cdog Wednesday, Jul 1, 15 @ 4:53 pm